I took wickets, but gave away too many runs: Umesh Yadav

Tendulkar boosted Yadav's confidence

India's young bowling sensation Umesh Yadav felt nervous bowling to the likes of Ricky Ponting in his first Test against Australia, but said Sachin Tendulkar's advice hugely boosted his confidence and helped him scalp three crucial wickets on the opening day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday.

Yadav was seen getting a lot of encouragement from Tendulkar at mid-off or mid-on, and the young fast bowler said the Indian legend told him to bowl fuller length deliveries to get wickets.

"Even against West Indies, at mid off or mid-on, he just boosts my confidence. He does not tell me anything particular, just asks me to bowl in my areas. He told me that in India you could get away by bowling back of length stuff. Here in Australia, it's important to bowl a fuller length," Yadav told reporters at the press conference after first day's play.

'I'm happy and I'm not happy as well'

Yadav said he was happy to have taken the most wickets for the visitors on Day 1, but was disappointed that he gave away far too many runs.

"I took wickets but also gave away far too many runs. So I'm happy and I'm not happy as well," said Yadav, who claimed three wickets for 96 runs for his day's effort.

He was often pulled by the Australian batsmen, especially in the post-lunch session when both Ponting and opener Ed Cowan had a go at him.

"It's not that I wanted to bowl short or the team has planned so. The two fielders in the deep, at fine leg and square leg, were intended to keep the scoring down more than to catch the batsmen off a pull shot," he said.

'It was exciting to bowl to Ponting'

One of Yadav's victims was Ponting, who was caught in the slips off an out-swinger, and he admitted he was a bit nervous initially bowling to the Australian legend.

"I would not say any one wicket in particular was special. All wickets were special. I am touring Australia for the first time, so whatever success comes my way would make me happy. In whatever way I could contribute for the team, I am happy I could do it," Yadav said.

"It was exciting to bowl to Ponting. He has been such a big player. I wouldn't say I was very nervous, but, yes, there was a little bit of nervousness," he added.

Yadav said overall India had a good day in office though Australia put together important 63-run stand for the seventh wicket at the fag end of play.

"Partnerships happen. We did try to break it, but they kept going. Yes, we have conceded a few runs but otherwise the day was good for us," said Yadav.

Image: Ricky Ponting is struck on the helmet attempting a hook shot off the bowling of Umesh YadavPhotographs: Getty Images